CHAPTER
MOBILIZATION OF PEASANTRY
II
MOBILIZATION OF PEASANTRY
An
analysis
of
the
modes,
mobilization can afford
methods
and
ideas
of
peasant
an Insight the political messages being
disseminated and the peasants responses to this.
The post-depression period positioned the Zamindari peasant at
a critical Juncture with exhorbltant rents and huge debts, while
security of tenure became his main concern.
On the other hand,
the social reform movement in the 19th and early 20th century,
the Gandhian struggle and the literary movement prior to
had already made the peasant politically conscious.
trends
of
peasant
mobilization
changed
radically
and
emerged in 1930s a severe battle between the Congress
which
suggested
agrarian
reformative
demands
peasantry.
were
solutioins
more
and
appealing
Both these groups ventured
left
to
the
1930s
However, the
there
Ideology
ideology whose
mass
to capture
of
the
the peasant
platform but one common point between them was that they did not
supersede the national liberation struggle in the name of peasant
problems, while on the other they tried and succeeded in bringing
the peasant under the fold of anti-colonial struggle.
However,
the leftists wanted anti-imperial and anti-feudal movements to go
hand in hand, a programme which the Congress did not support as
anti-colonialism was first on its agenda.
motives,
they
were
successful
in
Irrespective of their
stirring
the
peasant
conciousness against British rule and the Zamindari system.
The depression brought
commodity prices down,
affected agricultural incomes.
with a new phase
and
seriously
This period roughly synchronized
in the freedom movement
in
the early
1930s.
Following the Gandhi-Irwin pact in 1931, there was a lull in the
activities
on
disillusioned
nationalists
the
the
part
of
Gandhi
Andhras,
and
in the Congress party.
and
the
Congress.
particularly
the
This
young
A wave of radicalisation
swept the ranks of the freedom movement from this period and a
number
of
disillusioned
cadres
of
the
Congress
created
a
situation in which there developed a general urge among the left
oriented
political
organisations.
workers
to
form
independent
kisan
The initiative in this matter was taken mainly by
87
MOBILIZATION OF PEASANTRY
Congress
Socialists
and
Communists
and
thus
emerged
a
spate
of techinques to mobilise and woo peasants to their respective
folds.
Formation
of
publications;
orginlsing
peasant
public
peasant
hero-worship
associations;
meetings;
days,
weeks,
[veera pooja)
using
conducting
were
of
marches;
the
and
important
trying to influence the peasant mind.
press
peasant
and
schools;
perfomlng
methods used
in
An examination of each of
these techniques follows.
No proper history of peasant movements can be written without
a survey of newspapers,
peasant consciousness.
which helped immensely in moulding the
Infact newspaper history is inextricably
tangled with political history.
To educate,
to
inform and to
enlighten, constituted the duty of the nationalist press, whether
they represented the right or
growing
self-confidence
left
amongst
ideology.
publishers
It manifested a
and
subscribers
in
making their growth almost parallel with the growth of peasant
consciousness
class
2
'collective mentality' .
The
small
a
and
initiative
came
group
educators,
universities,
emerging
for
as
of
from
the
became
the silent majority.
ideas
of
further
educated
the
new
the religious reformers,
rich-peasantry
reformative
pushed
the
in
middle
evolving
class.
intelligentsia
the
This
of
the
free-lancing writers and
self-appointed
interpreters
Obviously they received stimulus from
nationalism
and
revolutionary
ideas
of
Russian revolution, but the main impetus came from the study of
actual
what
local conditons,
might
be
called
which in its turn led to the birth of
peasant
consciousness
and
to
the
strengthening of peasant motivation to action.
A number of Journals and newspapers were started to highlight
the peasant problems.
As early as 1920 The Ryot
(weekly) was
started by N.G.Ranga and his associates, but it was stopped due
to internal bickerings in 1933. 4
88
In 1929,
the Ryot Patrika of
MOBILIZATION OF PEASANTRY
Rajamundry was started by M.Narasanna, but it ceased publication
in 1933 owing to financial troubles.
The Zamln Ryot started in
1928 by Nellore Venkatarama Naidu, became a premier kisan paper
6
7
of the Andhra.
Vahini
of Madras was started in 1936,
and
NavaSakti of Bezawada in 1937, 8
Chltragupta
a
fortnightly
Srikakulam in 1935* 1
Prajabandhu of Madras in 1935, 9
magazine
in
1933,
Prajavanl
Praja Sakti of Bezwada in 1942* 2
of
and a
host of other papers served the peasant cause.
The
veteran
Patrika1*
newspapers
like
Andhra
Patrika
,
Krishna
and the English daily Hindu15 served the interests of
the peasantry.
However their tone was very mild at times and
they shied away from reporting the enthusiastic activities of the
. 16
peasants.
Krishna Patrika highlighted the acute food problem existing in
Andhra
areas
during
1940s
and
advocated
the
peaceful
18
It
settlement between the agitating peasants and the Zamindars.
waged a relentless battle against
urged
the
problems
peasantry
and
to
to
free
the Communist activities and
follow
India
Congress
from
to
British
alleviate
rule.
A
their
creative
conversation between two workers published in this paper reveals
the paper's stand.
First worker:
Congress
is
a bourgeoise
favours capitalists and Zamindars.
to achieve independence.
It
had
It
How can we believe it?
2nd worker(a Congress sympathiser):
classes.
organisation.
Congress's primary aim is
So it had to take co-operation from all
declared
that
after
establish peasants and workers rule.
independance
it
will
It has also announced that
the Zamindari system will be abolished.
1st
worker:
Why
then
is
it
giving
compensation
to
the
Zamindars?
2nd
worker:
peacefully.Congress
Because
stands
it
for
wants
the
to
solve
poor.
It
shelter,clothing, education and health to
89
everyone.
the
gives
problem
food,
MOBILIZATION OF PEASANTRY
In
yet
another
article
In
1946
Krishna
Patrika,
tried
to
pursuade the peasant that the Zamindars could be reformed by the
Congress policies and
that
already many Zamindars had
immersed
themselves in Congress activities and were investing their money
in
welfare
activities.
Saying
that
the
"Congress
will
definitely bring change in the Zamindari class for the betterment
of the peasant",
only aim of
it declared in its editorial in 1946 that the
the Congress was
20
rule in lndependant India.
to establish peasant and workers
It went to the extent of declaring
that Gandhi was more than a Communist in solving the problems of
the peasantry.
However it also cautioned that the peasant was
22
being pampered and that he was complaining about everything.
It
maintained
that
Congress
was
like
mother
to
Andhras
and
Congress aims should be the guiding principle of Andhras.
Andhra
Patrika
was
another
nationalist
paper,
which
gave
importance to the peasant question, but advocated a cautious and
reformative approach to solve its problems, without Jeopardising
the ongoing freedom struggle and without antagonising any of the
classes co-operating in the national movement.
However,
it
was ruthless in critising the government policies affecting the
peasants.
took
the
issues.
In one of Its several editorials in this"regard,
Madras
Assembly
to
task
for
not
taking
up
it
peasant
It did not miss any opportunity to report the peasant
movements going on around the world in order to encourage the
26
Andhra peasant.
It reported widely the activities of peasant
27
associations
and waged bitter criticism against Justice Party
during the 1937 elections and pleaded with the peasants to vote
for Congress,
which
it emphasised would attend
to
their
28
problems.
The debt problem was widely exposed in all its
articles during 1934 and 1935 and the Congress ministry was urged
29
to find remedy to this problem.
It published several poems in
an attempt to make the peasant mind favourable to the Congress
party, for instance, "for the well-being of the peasant,Congress
should come to power; if taxes are to be reduced- vote for
30
Congress".
Another poem written by Settipally Venkataratnam,
90
MOBILIZATION OF PEASANTRY
31
entitled An advice to the Ryot,
goes
"election have come to show the might of the peasantry,
peasants should roar so that the entire world would bear,
come on peasants; come ; to establish your rule,//
G.Brahmayya (INC candidate) like Brahmanayadu (a historical
personality) should tumble down the prestige of Challapalli Raja,
Narrayana (INC) should cut short the cattish strategies of
Mirza Zamindar and destroy in the Nuzvid forests//
Baddepudi (INC) lion should pounce upon on Venkatagiri
Raja and declare victory//
Ranga, the great sovereign leader of Indian peasant
Is leading you//
So my dear peasants make Congress a victorious party
only to make these anti-Indian Zamindars, a sanyasi folk//"
(It should be mentioned that In the 1937 elections many Zamindari
people contested against Congress candidates and were defeated
throughly).
Another
peasant?
32
provocative
It
(INC)"
article,
is Pitapuram Raja
was
captloned
"Who
(Peoples Party)
saves
the
or Pallam Raja
The paper gave an oportunity to a number of peasants
to enumerate their problems in its paper by allocating space, at
regular intervals.
It also brought out special supplements on
every Thursday from 1933
34
Co-operative Farming".
Peasant
peasants
marches
the
and peasant weeks
associations
editorials
on
ruthlessly
were
given
criticised
subject
organised
wide
on
'Agriculture
by
and
the various
35
publicity.
the
short
The
expenditures
allocated to the agriculture sector in the budgets.
Japan banned Andhra cotton,
When
Andhra Patrika carried a series of
articles provoking the peasants to agitate and to take up this
37
matter
to
attempts,
the corridors of Assembly.
Andhra
anti-zamindarl
Patrika
movements
like
and
However,
Krishna
concentrated
Patrika
mostly
in all
its
underplayed
in
moulding
peasants mind according to the Congress ideology and talked less
about the needs of agricultural labourers.
abolition of Zamindari system,
to
be
given
for
peasant-agricultural
cordial
the
labourer
While welcoming the
it favoured adequate compensation
38
Zamindars.
Regarding
the
relationship,
it
advocated
and mutual understanding to be developed between
a
them,
and compared both to a wife and husband and also to two bullocks
91
MOBILIZATION OF PEASANTRY
tied
to a
cart;
meaning
that
the
two
should
39
go
in
a
single
direction in order to reach the destination.
The popular English dally Hindu
too towed the
line of
above two nationalist papers regarding peasant issues.
it was very useful
the
However,
in exposing the repressive character of the
colonial state.
Several
views.
other
Telugu
and
English
papers
expressed
similar
Telugu (weekly twice) was very critical about 1908 Estate
Land Act and subsequent Acts of
series
of
articles
about
the
1934 and 1936 and published a
40
in
these Acts. The
loopholes
Vijaya a fortnightly from Tanuku in its acticle of 1937 on 'the
evils of capitalism and poverty'
system
and
British
Stanika Palana,
a
rule
for
monthly
strongly blamed
the
from
miseries
Bezwada
of
the zamindary
the
brought
peasants.
special
issues
while the Madras Assembly was proceeding with Debt Relief Act and
42
furnished the peasants with reliable information.
from
Anantapur
Satyagraha.
followed
Swatantra
very
closely
Bharati
a
the
Vijayavani,
Kalipatnam
weekly
from
peasant
Bezwada
was
critical of the policy of importing of food grains and demanded
the government
to
take
measures
44
agricultural production.
to encourage more
indigenous
Bharati a literary journal urged the
peasants to be far away from caste and communal feelings.
Janmabhumi
in
its
article
entitled
'Peasants
and
The
Congress',
reveals the attitude of the Congress party towards peasants,
reads
thus,
"as our
struggle for
independence progresses,
it
its
success will depend on the
impression it makes on the masses,
their
essential.
active
intensive
sympathy
is
We
propaganda throughout the country.
should
launch
an
If this propaganda
is to be effective, it should bring to the peasants, who are the
bulk of the people, the concrete nature of the swaraj we aim at.
Mahatmaji's eleven points of
demands of our masses.
greater
detail
should do for
costly
and
and
1930 include many of
It will be useful
evolve
a
complete
the peasants.
cumbrous
to
afford
plcutre
The present
any
the unspoken
to consider them in
legal
protection
against the oppression of Zamindars and others.
of
what
system
to
the
swaraj
is
too
peasant
Some form of
panchayat in which the peasants will be in a majority hand which
92
MOBILIZATION OF PEASANTRY
will
have
the
power
to
protect
the
individual
peasant
from
tyranny should be the basis of the swaraJ constitution".
Zamin Ryot,
important
which
paper
began
which
its
publication
concentrated
in
exclusively
1930,
on
was
the
one
peasant
question and was In the forefront In educating and mobilising the
47
Zamindari peasants.
In the 1937 elections it worked very
efficiently and was the first paper in Telugu to use cartoon
48
pictures.
It published articles emphasising the need of
peasant
associations,
associations
social
and
49
the
provide.
It
economic
countries.
benefits
also
and
published
conditions
of
securities
informatioln
peasants
in
such
on
the
European
Its editor Nellore Venkatarama Naidu published his
famous song 'we don't want this association with the Zamindars'
in 1933 which infact became a magic song stirring the peasants
against
the
Zamindari
system.
It
indirectly
helped
in
strengthening the Congress organisation by canvassing among the
peasantry the need for independence along with the abolition of
the Zamindari system.
Its attack was also directed against the
Communists especially in the 1940s when the C ommunists started
supporting the British in its war efforts in the name of people's
war.52
Another peasant paper,
which advocated the overthrow of the
Zamindari system through violent means was the Vahini from Madras.
According to the report of the Commissioner of Police of Madras,
its editor K.Brahmaiah was a person with Socialist leanings and
keenly interested in the peasant movements, and it was felt that
the journal was likely to be used in furtherance of the Socialist
and peasant movements and that his avowed object was to stir up
the
ryots
and
workers.
provocative sentences,
ryot
Its
articles
some such were,
were
worded
with
'in Zamindari areas the
is alleged to be a slave whose vitals are sapped by the
village
officers
to
fill
their
stomachs,
produces goes to foreign countries;
what
Indian
ryot
the endeavour of Gandhi to
awaken the ryots from their lethargy and to unite them are said
to
have
Commission
been
(the
responsible
Linlithgow
for
the
Commission
93
government
of
appointing
Agriculture)
a
whose
MOBILIZATION OF PEASANTRY
recommendations,
Congress
ryot.'
should
too,
use
have
all
not
been
energies
accepted
for
the
by
them.
protection
The
of
the
The article concluded with the observation that until the
ryots gird up their
loins and enter the field of action
India
cannot obtain independance and their problems cannot be solved.
In yet another article it advocated that Socialism was the only
solution to the
terrible
Indian prroblem of
three reasons for the general decline of
land;
it
advanced
the ryot despite the
construction of anicuts and reservoirs a) he is not the owner of
the land under his cultivation b) agricultural implements are not
his c) the produce raised by him is not his;
alone lies the ryots's salvation.
thus in socialism
Justifying its claims for
socialism Vahini argues that capitalism stands for the peace and
happiness to a few.
Political
and
the
happiness
among
economic independence.
independence would promote peace
people,
only when
are veritably a drag on the community
all
its
it
is
allied with
It says "the Zamindars and maharajas
revolutionary
forces
poverty and unemployment'.
can
class war alone with
solve
the
problems
of
our
"If the Congress desires, swaraJ, it
should alter the present conditions and bring into force not only
political freedom but also the Karachi resolution which defined
58
economic
freedom
alone
as
swaraJ".
Inciting
the
peasants
against Zamindari system, it remarked, "there can be'no peace in
Andhradesa,
Zamindars,
unless
the
domination
of
these
deceivers,
everyone of whom is acting like a Dyer,
59
the
is checked
since the patience of ryots has been exhausted".
When security was demanded from Vahini
by the government
it
ceased publication and its management started a new paper called
Krantl
its
sharp
criticism against the government and the Zamindari system.
from
the
same
press
in
1939,
and
continued
It
not only directed its attacks on the British and Zamindars but
also
against
the
Congress
aspirations of the peasants;
with the British government?
from the fight what
Congress
should
give
Ministry
not
fulfilling
the
If our country comes out victorious
are the benefits
proper
for
"why should we carry on the fight
answer."
94
that will
It
accrue
also,
to us?
said,
"let
MOBILIZATION OF PEASANTRY
peasants and workers struggle for independence, what we want is
not
mere
swaraJ
but
the
peasants
and
workers
rule. In
its
editorial the Krantl writes, "the greatest defect in the Congress
programme is, it did not define swaraJ it should have declared
its chief item of its programme of work the ideal of the economic
needs of the peasants and workers." However,
publication
Kranti and Vahini preached
though they criticised the Congress,
throughout their
national liberation and
they never attempted to
overshadow the Congress organization in the fight for freedom.
Andhra vani another vernacular paper
also raised the problem
of the peasantry and in one of its issues it tried to stir the
mind of the peasant.
"why are you dumb, ye poor raiyats?
can you not in a loud voice proclaim your rights?
can you not raise your hand and show your might?
with a hungry stomach and a naked body
how long do you labour in vain?
you are not able to support your children,
how can you beat the burden of taxes?
look at your wailing children and your ailing wives?
do they not goad you to stand up demanding your rights?"
T.Prakasam's Swarajya (1921-1935) admirably served the peasant
cause.
Though the object of the paper was to propogate the ideas
and programme of the Congress
it published in great detail the
problems of the peasantry.
It highlighted the views of the
64
Indian League delegation on the poverty In Indian villages.
Village
Republic
(1940-42)
championed
the
His
cause
of
self-sufficient economy.
The Communist dominated papers,
Navasakki and Prajasakti also
played a significant role in moulding the mood of the peasantry
in the anti-colonial and anti-zamlndari agitations.In journalism
and literature the Communists were the first to promote simple,
clear, and crisp modern prose,
in place of the archaic style
preserved by generations of established Telugu writers.
Though
one may not lable the Communist propaganda as revolutionary in
that
it
never
advocated for
a
complete change
in
the
land
relations; yet it was more radical than that of Congressmen and
95
MOBILIZATION OF PEASANTRY
Socialists.
Though
the
C.P.I.
leadership
was
essentially
elitist, belonging to the middle and rich landlord upper castes.
It was also sensitive to the problems of the poor peasantry and
lower caste agricultural labourers.
As there was a ban on
C.P.I, from 1934 to 1942, most of the Communists worked through
the
C.S.P..
peasant
associations
and
forthemost
part
they
remained in the Congress Itself.
They ran Prabha under the guidance of Gadde Lingayya in 1935
for
a
few
months
to
propogate
Marxist
ideas.
But
the
publication of Navasakti from Rajamundry in 1937 with Madduri
Annapurnayya as its editor marked the beginning of a fullfledged
Communist paper in the Andhra area.
Very soon it was shifted to
Vijayawada and continued to be published as a weekly till it was
69
banned during second world war.
It directed a number of
70
peasant marches,
and played a very important role in bringing
the peasants to give witness before the Prakasam Committee.
warned
the
Madras
ministry
that
if
the
Prakasam
It
Committee
recommendations were not implemented, peasants would resort to
72
violent methods.
Navasakti highlighted and focussed on the
Kalipatnam, Challapalli, Munagala satyagrahas.
It advocated
74
the abolition of Zamindari system.
In its Tripuri Sanchika,
Navasakti,
published a front page article on various peasant
struggles
that occured in Indian history and urged the peasantry
to be vigilent of the exploiters and be ready to fight against
75
them.
Apart from reporting peasant events,
it alloted two
pages to world news, two to national news and a special feature
When Navasakti was banned in 1939, the Communists brought out
on Soviet Union.
a secret cyclostyle paper named Swatantra Bharathi to propogate
77
its ideas.
In 1945, Prajasakti came out as a dally from the
78
Communist party.
It followed the footsteps of Navasakti. It
was more successful in bringing the agricultural labourers to its
79
fold by advocating the distribution of banjar lands to them,
and preaching for peasant-labourer unity,
and
adequate
81
wages.
However, though it was bitter in its criticism against
96
MOBILIZATION OF PEASANTRY
the Congress in regard to the peasant question.
Prajasaktl, from
the beginning wrote articles encouraging peasants in their fight
against
colonial
82
freedom.
rule
It's
and
favoured
headings
ran
Gandhi
like
in
this,
his
fight
"peasant
for
is
the
patriot', 'peasant is the backbone of freedom struggle',' peasant
and worker
. . . . 83
India .
co-operation
In all most all
They
exercised
an
should
be
the
founding
the papers satirical
influence
all
out
stone
of
free
cartoons were carried.
of
proportion,
political and cultural life of the peasant.
growing feeling of antagonsim towards the exploiters.
when the literacy rate was still very low,
in
the
They expressed the
At a time
these cartoons spoke
volumes. Few were spared and all sorts and conditions of men were
freely caricatured and it proved to be an impressionistic device
that needed no translation.
Yet it would be not right to claim too much for the press
as
the majority of the people did not see newspapers, let alone read
them.
The credit goes to the peasant activists who ventured to
go to
the villages to convey to the villagers what was written.
We will see in a later section how this mechanism functioned.
Apart from newspapers and journals, several books were written
to
educate
and
inform
the
peasant
about
the
exploitative
mechanism of the colonial rule and Zamindari system and the ways
and means to get rid of this evils.
In
this
Malapalle
regard,
written
by
the
first
Unnava
book
to
be
Laxminarayana
author unravels the way in which
mentioned
in
1922,
would
where
be
the
capitalists, landed aristocrats
and bureaucrats were trampling under foot the toiling masses, and
the growing nexus between the various
such
as
the
department
police,
and
the
corrupt,
majistrate,
dishonest
and
limbs of
the
cruel
the government
Judicial
and
officials.
Jail
The
peasants and workers thereby affected are awakened, become class
97
MOBILIZATION OF PEASANTRY
conscious,
form union and work for the emancipation from alien
and exploitative rule.
He ends the novel where India achieves
independence and fashions a type of government suited to meet the
85
demands of the
However,
peasant and working classes and all are happy.
through
out
the
novel
the
author
stresses
the
underlying need for peasant worker co-operation and in the novel
a Kamma landlord's son helps the agricultural labourer belonging
to a harijan family in his attempts to secure minimum wages for
the
agricultural
labourers.
The
book
Government in 1932, for its attack on
was
proscribed
by
the
86
government departments.
Closely following the above novel, N.G.Ranga, wrote in 1933 a
87
novel Harijana Nayakudu,
which emphasises the need for peasant
worker
coalition,
to
achieve
their
respective
visualises a situation where the peasant and his
happily respecting each others needs.
goals.
He
labourer
live
This story is about
an
agricultural labourer belonging to a harijan family who attempts
to reform his community socially.
Finally he succeeds
in his
venture with the help of his master, a Kamma landlord's son.
each and every page Ranga
labourers
praises
the
tries
to
benevolence
see
of
that
the
the
rich
In
agricultural
peasant
class.
Though a mention is made about a few greedy and cruel peasants in
the
story,
he
ends
it
with
the
impression
that
the
landed
peasants and agricultural workers will lead a happy life if their
efforts are coordinated with the peasant at the helm of affairs.
To quote few references will
very clear.
Basavalingayya,
with my community
make
the
intention of
the author
the harijan leader says,
"I along
will always serve the peasants with loyalty,
patience and strength, for the generosity you have showered upon
me".Replying
Basavalingayya,
to
this,
Ramanayya,
the
landlord
blesses
"like you,
the entire community of yours should
88
serve us faithfully, loyally and with respect".
QQ
Ryotu Bhajanavali,
which was first published in 1934, served
the interests of the peasant by not only informing them of
deplorable conditions surrounding them,
the
but also roused popular
sentiment of the peasants and helped to activate their energies
98
MOBILIZATION OF PEASANTRY
in full strength.
The Burrakatha troup of G.Venkatasubbayya,
Bhajana Samaj of Chityala, Band troup of Divi taluq, Hutchinsons
Recording
company,
students
of
peasants
institute,
peasant
on
marchers etc., carried these songs to all corners of Andhra.
The appealing strength of the poems will be known if one reads
them.
These
poems were collected and edited by N.G.Ranga and
printed at the Swarajya printing press
reads like this: 91
in Bezwada.
One
song
We do not want this association with Zamindars,
lying in ambush for our lives, it has destroyed our honour,
though there is a failure of crops, they will not give up taxes,
they will file rent-suits which would be followed by distress,
they would set upon their agents and would shoot us down, if
we were to make a protest,
every year they enhance the assessment; when will their violence
cease?
when we tell them that tanks have breached, they turn a deaf ear,
put an end to their cruel administration, oh God,
In the Venkatagiri Zamindari they collected Rs.70/- per acre,
oh, Father (God) we cannot hear the burdensome taxes which bring
tears to our eyes
we prefer to migrate to government villages at least,
there is no system of imposing taxes, they do it blindly,
we labour eternally without minding the hot sun and raise crops,
In the end they snatch,
we have to pay bribes publicly, besides there are court-expenses,
when can the ryot live happily?
they would not spend even a pie for the benefit of the ryot,
They would spend money like water on polo games without realising
that it is the people's money,
it seems they would go to the legislative council on our behalf,
but having gone there, they would ruin us,m
they execute decrees (against us) and holding the bowl in their
hands, they come begging for votes,
they impound cattle, catch hold of the milch buffalo and trouble
us for votes,
they dont allow land revenue remissions to be decided by
legislation,
they would even bribe politicians and rally them to their side
concealing the fraud,
they would make them write such good reports upon themselves
(Zamindars)
so that the world might appreciate the latter,
Oh, God we don't want this association with Zamindars.
92
An another poem, entitled 'why do you do nothing',
why do you do nothing? you, the kisan king,
can't you tell people your rights?
99
MOBILIZATION OF PEASANTRY
can't you publish your prowess with gusto?
how do you bear this burden of taxes?
while failing to feed your beloved family,
wadding through mud, walking through thorn,
crops you raise after untold sufferings, yet,
enough to eat,
is there then no limit to your slavery?
you don't
find
you ply the plough, break open our beloved mother earth,
and these millionaries, butterflies, are dancing your death
dance dance.
93
The poem 'unite, unite, oh, the peasant'
unity of peasant.
celebrates
the
we yearn for food, for freedom, for favour,
if only we all are united,
we, the peasants,
we, the workers
Might there is today amidst the peasant and the proletariat,
caste or creed we need not bother,
together we live, united we inarch.
Another poem encouraging the peasant and treating him as
national hero read thus.
The entire country is now depending upon you, oh, peasant,
you are the crusader oh, peasant,
come on come on, and show your power, oh, peasant.
Showing direction to the peasant mass, one song runs like
this,
94
To establish the rule of all hard working people,
peasant-labour people unite and march forward,
establish a rule where the peasant get his proper share of
production
establish
a
rule
where
the
worker
does
not
succumb
to
exploitation,
establish a rule where the artisans live strengthening the
country side,
political independance may come,
alien rule may go,
but real life to the country will come
only when the peasant is developed
To establish a rule where all hard working people take part.
Another
95
song entitled Peasant's State: envisions a peasant
rajya:
100
MOBILIZATION OF PEASANTRY
Did Gandhi tell simply,
that if peasant comes to power,
Rama Rajya would have come
for the peasant is innocent and uncheatable,
so what deficit would we have?
Oh, peasants, the state is yours,
hey, peasant king, you are kings,
peasant days have already come,
come on come on- for peasant's service,
freedom and food, the peasant will give,
peasants should rule and we should see Rama Rajya.
In many songs
the message was clear,
raising protest
changing
the order of domination and sub-ordination.
in
songs
these
both
millenarian
and
mundane
meant
However,
aspirations
and
concerns were linked with the concept of Ram Rajya and Swarajya.
Apart from Ryotu Bhajanavali,
similar
several other books containing
important
96
among them was the book entitled Karshaka(meaning Peasant).
In
this
songs were published during this period and
the
author
asks
the peasants
which would prove suicidal
to ward
off
to the cause of
caste
feelings
the peasantry.
He
questions the existence of God for not helping the peasants to
resolve his problems.
He provokes the peasant by saying that"
you are the maker of the state, not the aristocracy".
scholars and poets,
peasantry,
that
He accuses
who are not working for the cause
they
sold
themselves
to
the
of
the
donkeys who have
money.
This was also the time when many young people were turning to
the Marxian thought following the success of
the Soviet Union,
party.
the revolution in
and the growth of left wing in the Congress
Formation of the C.P.I and C.S.P gave further fillip to
this trend.
The economic deterioration of the peasantry in the
wake of depression clubbed with the dissillusionment of Gandhian
style of politics, a section of Andhra youth advocated a radical
approach in solving the peasant problems.
Narrating this trend
in later years, N.G.Ranga observed, "during this perlod(1930-40),
leftist literature was a craze among us all.
101
The publication of
MOBILIZATION OF PEASANTRY
the
'Left Book Club'of London,
books
of
John
Stracthy
and
Soviet
literature and also the
JawaharlalJee,
Gorky, G.H.D.Cole were extremely popular.
97
had
a
vogue
of
all
their
Edgar
Snow,
Maxim
Literature on China,
own".
P.Sundarayya
in
his
autobiography, states that after reading Communist Manifesto he
became
a
ardent
Communist
and
started
spreading
Communist
,. .
98
Ideology among masses.
Krishna District Congress Socialist Party published a
book entitled Life of Lenin to encourage
Lenin's mode or agitation.
99
the Government.
Another
book
demanded
that
should
be
However this book was proscribed by
Socialism
land,
Ante
to
the Youth'
and
enjoyed
etc. ,
by
all
unjust and one-sided law of the
women,
military to join hands to destroy the
the
Meant)
institutions
which was a telugu translation of
and calls on young men,
over-throw
Socialism
written by the French Anarcho Communist
Prince Kropotkin, deplores the
country
does
cultural
distributed
citizens.Sandesam (Message)
'Appeal
(What
industries,
equally
telugu
the peasants to turn to
present
social
order
peasants,
law of
in
workers and
the
which
country and
-Zamindars
and
landlords live at the cost of the poor labouring classes.
Karl
Marx Upadesamulu
(the
teaching of Karl Marx)
translation of Lenin's The Teachings of Karl Marx.
that the lower middle class small manufacturers,
handicraftsmen,
bourgeosie
middle class.
1 9 3 ? 103
Lenin
peasant
proprietors-
in safegaurding their
one
This book too was proscribed
Upadesamulu
(Teaching
and
existance as
of
a
It advocated
small traders,
all
fight
sections
of
the
the
by the Government in
Lenin)104
translation of the book Lenin by R.P.Dutt.
was
was
a
telugu
Its forward 'Russia
Viplavam 1905' was banned by the Congress Ministry in the Madras
Presidency, on the grounds that it contained passages tending to
incite
armed
rebellion
and
the
102
commissioning
of
offences
MOBILIZATION OF PEASANTRY
involving violence, and that it was expressly published to serve
as
a help in devising programmes
105
practice.
Paris Commune,
was a
The Paris Commune.
and
literal
in working
them
out
in
translation of Lenin's book
It charactrises the Paris Commune of 1871 as
the dress rehearsal in world history of the socialist revolution
of the working class.
The object of this translation
seems to
be to rouse the working class in India to militate action for the
violent overthrow of the present order of society.
India
Bhavishyathu
(the
Future
India) 1O argues
of
that
the
conditions in the country would remain the same so long as the
Zamindari and capitalist system continue to prevail and says that
if
India wants
real
independence
these evil
systems should be
removed.
Another book arguing on the same lines was Swatantra
108
Garjana (The Roar of Independance)
written by V.V.Subramanya
109
Sastry.
Viplava Yugamu (Terrorist Age)
says that
the
conditions of the poor peasants is deplorable and that the women
folk of poor ryots, who failed to pay their taxes and rents were
forcibly removed to bungalows and raped.
telugu drama Zamin Ryot
depicts the conditions of
peasants in the Zamindari areas.
The
From the beginning it narrates
the ill-treatment meeted out by the Zamindars to their tenants
and the resulting hardship of the latter.
discredit
prohibited
the
Zamindari
this
on
the
system.
grounds
The
that
It was calculated to
Government
the
drama
of
Madras
might
create
unneccessary tension between the Zamindars and their servants.
Another
telugu drama entitled
Guru
Babu
designed
to
foster
112
Communist ideas in the minds of the masses was proscribed.
Karl
Marx's
Fundamentals,
translations
Communist
Lenin's
made
Manifesto,
Imperialism
into Telugu.
103
were
This
Engels
among
the
Communist
number
trend was given
of
further
MOBILIZATION OF PEASANTRY
fillip
with
the
establishment
of
Vishwa
Sahithya
Mala
Publications at Munganda (East Godavari District) in 1 9 3 5 . 1 1 3 It
is said that the publishers themselves took these books to the
houses to introduce them to the masses.
war,
Communists
Communist
launched Prajasaktl
During the second world
publications
literature.lt was responsible for
Maa Bhoomi
. ..
114
Andhra.
(Our Land)
and
published
the publication of
drama which was staged several
A pamphlet entitled Peda Ryotula Kashtalela Potayi?
the difficulties of poor peasants be solved?)
of Congress
agrarian policies.
taxation of agricultural
It
appealed
to
the
It
communities,
middle
demanded
to
in
(How will
was very critical
progressive
and land for
peasants
times
the tiller.
co-operate
with
the
labouring class in solving their problems.
The pamphlet
addressed
to
issued by the 'Workers and Peasants'
the
Congress
as
early as
1927
Party and
demanded
that
if
Congress comes to power it must guarantee to the peasants that
the
land
belongs
to
exemption from rent
the
tiller,
reduction
for poor peasants,
of
land
rents,
protection against
avarice of money-lenders and assistance by means of credits
the
cultivator. 1 1 6
It
appealed
to
the
Congress,
that
wished to conduct the struggle for national liberation,
if
the
to
it
it must
become the party of the people, representing not only the few of
the electorate, but the unfranchised majority.
Sri
Sri,
the
idol
of
two
generations
of
aspiring
writers, was a revolutionary poet leading a writers'
telugu
movement a
full decade before the C.P.I, organized its literary front in the
118
form of the All India Progressive Writers Association in 1943.
This organisation gave much attention to the cultural and social
119
development of the people.
Though
many
of
the
books
of
leftist
leanings
did
not
exclusively deal with the question of peasantry, they reflect the
radicallsation of
thought,
in
the
104
country-side,
and
providing
MOBILIZATION OF PEASANTRY
wide
canvass
for
the
peasant
mind
to
respond.They
created
a
suitable environment, conducive to rational and radical thinking.
The
symbols and slogans of
the Russian revolution became very
popular.
Kambhampati
ideologue
USSR.He
Ends
who
Sathyanarayana
deeply
authored
and
Means,
Soviet
and
was
appreciated
Union
also
another
the
Today,
active
Communist
Dialectical
translated
Stalin's
Communist
movements
in
Materialism:
Foundation
of
Leninism. 1 2 0
Apart
from
these
Communist
produced
literature,
special
mention
needs to be made of
Prof.N.G.Ranga,
who gained
121
prominance for his techniques of peasant mobilisation.
He
122
wrote several books on peasant problem.
The following are the
123
books written by him.
Economic Organisation of Indian Villages, Deltaic Villages,
vol.1, 1926,
Economic Organisation of Indian Villages, Dry Villages, vol, II,
1928,
Hand-loom Weaving Industry, 1930
Economic condition of the Zamindari ryots, 1933,
Tribes of the Nilagiri's -Their economic conditions, 1928,
Harijana Nayakudu, 1933,
Agricultural Indebtedness, Remedial measures,
Labour in South India, 1934,
Modern Indian Peasant, 1936,
Kisan Speaks, 1937,
Peasants and Congress, 1937,
History of the Kisan Movement, 1939,
Kisans and the Communists, 1942,
Outlines of National Revolutionary Path, 1945,
Challenge of World Peasantry, 1942,
Colonial and Coloured Peoples, 1942. etc,.
In all these books he gave prime position to the peasant.
The
peasant's
thoroughly
social,
economical
and
probed.Peasant-labour
cultural
relationship
problems
was
peasants role in freedom movement was prescribed.
were
translated
into
telugu
and
advocated peasant-labour unity.
were
widely
were
discussed;
These books
popularised.
He
For him most of the grievances
of the landless peasant against landed peasant could be remedied
in a
remodelled
economy,
provided
105
both
make
common
cause
and
MOBILIZATION OF PEASANTRY
present
a
united
capitalist
front
against
the
class and their allies.
Zamindari system.
He argued
common
exploiters-
the
He was a bitter critic of
that the colonial peasantry were
125
the greatest revolutionary force.
In his book 'Peasants and the Congress' he advocated that on
the basis of truth and non-violence and democratic discussion and
genuine mutual
forebearance,
both Gandhltes and socialists can
co-operate with each other as klsan sabhaites and work for
establishment of
not only political independence,
ultimate peasant'
and workers'
Raj.
the
but also the
He says that the long
term object of the peasant movement was the complete capture of
power in the State.
He argues that the peasants,
more than
industrial workers, enjoy certain advantages in developing their
organisation,
and
their village
traditions of self-government,
they are a)
the peasants are
b)
still
near
to
they are more
self-reliant, c) they have more self-confidence, being in charge
of food production and d) the Indian peasants to this day settle
their
social affairs
128
Panchayats.
He
associations,
etc,.
through
He
popularised
peasant
provided
their
such
institutions,
a
central
local
caste
ideas
marches,
organisation,
by
of
group
orgainising
conducting tours,
leadership
and
an
inspiring Ideology during 1930s even before the Communists could
think of the peasant question.
Several government legislations were translated into telugu to
keep
the
instance,
peasant
Madras
abreast
Debt
of
Relief
the
Act
situation
was
around
translated
them.For
129
in
1938.
Government Reports were also immediately translated to inform the
peasant
mass
N.G.Ranga's
Zamindari
Estate
along
Enquiry
peasants
Land
Act
with
critical
Report
and
were
on
Prakasam
given
the
106
of
economic
Committee's
wide
country.
analysis
publicity
the
same.
conditions
Report
in
of
on
Madras
the
Andhra
MOBILIZATION OF PEASANTRY
Apart
from
highlighting
Zamindari
these,
the
several
problems
Ryotu Samasya
and
Gorrepati
132
Zamindars)
other
of
the
the
Venkatasubbalah's
special
were
peasantry.
(Problems of
deserves
books
R.M.Sarma's
peasant)131
Zamindari
Hana
Zamindarilu
mention.
(Our
R.M.Sarma gives
detailed account of the development of the Zamindari
India
written
a
system in
and argues that the Zamindar is not the owner of the land.
He also brings out the rack-renting by the Andhra Zamindars and
furnished statistical data in an accessible manner to common man.
Gorrepati Venkatasubbaiah explains the evils of Zamindari system
and brings out the bad habits of the Zamindars and the manner
they squander the public wealth.
Peasant
leaders
peasant
population
support
for
undertook
about
frequent
their
anti-colonial
and
tours
problems
addressing
and
anti-feudal
enlisting
struggle.
the
their
National
leaders also visited the rural areas to mobilise the peasantry in
this regard.
Nehru's
tour
in
1936-37
was
a
highly
persuading the peasantry to support
problems would be eradicated.
would
be
relevant
at
this
successful
one
the Congress so that
To quote
some
juncture.
of
In
his
his
in
their
speeches
speech
at
Punanipadu (Krishna District) he said "India is full of peasants
and
peasantry
have
much
the
same
difficulty
all
over
India,
therefore the problem of peasants is an all-India problem.
In
swaraJ,
he
they
will
not
be
exploited."
In
claimed that "there are eighty percent
Congress
party all
fight for swaraj
peasants
over
the
Itchapur
country."
He
declared
is a fight for peasants rights".
generally
could
not
quite
speech
of the peasants in the
understand
his
that
"the
Though the
plea
for
socialism when they came across a reference that carried definite
local
implication
cheered. 1
like
'the
Zamindari
system
the amelioration of the peasant classes.
to
form
should
go'
they
Wherever he went he talked about agrarian uplift and
peasant
association
and
to
He exhorted the ryots
affiliate
them
with
the
Congress so that they might form the militia of the Congress in
107
MOBILIZATION Or PEASANTRY
the fight with British imperialism.
imperialism and
the
Zamindari
He opined that the British
system were
responsible
for
the
poverty of the masses in the country, and said that "capitalism
and Zamindari system never stood for the rights of the peasants
and they were against purna swaraJ". 1 3 5
He touched on
poverty
and unemployment and attributed these to the Zamindari system.
M.N.Roy during his tour in 1937 urged that propaganda should
be undertaken in the villages to carry on the fight for political
and
economic freedom.
medium
though which
the
He
stated
contact with the masses and asked
Congress.
that
the
Congress was
revolutionary vangaurd
could
the peasants
the
establish
to support
the
S.S.Batliwala, Socillst leader from Bombay, toured
the Andhra area and asked the audience to form
'watch and ward'
groups in every village to keep under observation the conduct of
government officials and to convey to the Congress Ministers the
grievances of the villages.
'long
live revolution'
138
audience.
P.V.Sivayya,
He closed his speeches with a slogan
which
a Socialist
was
leader
repeated
in his
by
most
speeches
of
the
visualised
that "it is only so long as the British government remains in the
country
that
the
Zamindar
will
exist.
When
the
British
government leaves that country, then the system of exploitation
139
will cease".
He also provoked the peasants to get organised,
"so long as you depend on petition and good will,
there is no
salvation for you, do not fall prey to caste distinctions, does a
Reddy landlord give more wages to a Reddy labourer?
This is only
a trick, a trick to break the unity among the workers.
be
useful
for
enhancing
the
richness
should be village,
of
the
taluk and district unions,
140
this, the money lenders will see their end. .
This will
wealthy.
There
if you achieve
P.Sundarayya, who was the Secretary of the Madras Provincial
Labour Protection League and Provincial Trade Union Congress and
Joint Secretary of the Andhra Provincial Congress Socialist Party
in his speech at Rajamundry in 1936 said that "the government,
108
MOBILIZATION OF PEASANTRY
Zamindar
and
violent
sowcars
should
revolution,
we
be
should
destroyed
even
establish
a
if
it
real
meant
workers
a
and
peasants government, there is a difference between communism and
Socialism. Socialism is only the first stage of communism, while
Socialism insists that every person should be paid the same wage,
men are expected to work to the best of their ability.and are
provided in the Communist system with the necessaries of life in
proportion to the work done by them....
we have to fight these
Zamindars
and
and
capitalists
on
one hand
141
with
the
arbitrary
British government on the other.
N.G.Ranga toured the length and breadth of the Andhra area and
the
general
tone
anti-colonial.
of
his
speeches
was
anti-zamindari
and
For instance, he said "the country would roll in
prosperity when its labourers and peasants are in good condition.
We should not give up our agitation until these estates are taken
out of
the control of
possession of a
has
accepted
these Zamindars,
this
socialism.
It
has
conditions of the ryots and labourers.
, „ 142
country are eunuchs .
In yet
and
are placed
Collector of the government.
agreed
to
improve
the
Those who try to ruin the
another speech delivered at Nuzvid,
government say they will give swaraj.
in the
Even the Congress
Ranga
said
"the
They give us that swaraj
wanted by the Zamindars, by the millionaires, and by the Rajas of
the Native States.
The Zamindars are also saying within their
own minds that they want swaraj.
They do not want
the swaraj
which we want.
They are already
in possession of
the
which they want.
The British is trying to create endless trouble
between the Zamindar and the ryots.
and Madlgas
If you do not convert Malas
(Harijans) as your own people,
they will fall
the hands of the white people and stay with them.
to celebrate the downfall
swaraj
into
We must have
of Zamindars as we feasted for
the
death of Narakasura (a demon by name Narakasura, who was killed
by Sri
Krishna and for which
celebrated)."
slogans
the
festival
Deepavali
is
being
Where ever he spoke he ended his speech with the
of victory
to Swatantra Bharath,
should perish, and land tax should go.
109
the
Zamindari
system
MOBILIZATION OF PEASANTRY
These
speeches
and
tours
created
a
stirred peasant consciousness to raise
disaffection
and
their voice against
deep
the
exploitation of the Zamindars.
Formation of peasant associations marked the beginning of the
growth
of
peasant
economical
awakening
conditions
and
towards
their
political,
144
responsibilities.
and
Several
associations were formed in the coastal districts of Andhra.
1905,
Gudivada Taluk Peasant Rssociation was formed.
Krishna
District
Peasant
Association
was
formed
In
In 1915
and
annual
conferences were held since then. By 1923 peasant associations at
district
level
districts.
Blkkina
were
Due
formed
to
the
Venkatarathnam
Association
was
Guntur
efforts
and
formed
in
in
of
others
1928
and
N.G.Ranga,
Andhra
in
East
Godavari
M.Bapinadu,
Provincial
Guntur,
Peasant
and
it
was
registered in 1 9 3 6 . 1 4 7
In
1929 Andhra Provincial
formed
under
the
guidance
Mandeswara Sharma.
in
1935,
South
Zamindari
of
Peasant
N.G.Ranga
Association was
and
Rebba
Pragada
In 1931, Peasants Protection Committee,
Indian
Federation
Peasants was formed.
of
Agricultural
Labour
and
These organisations made the peasants
feel confident to voice their grievances and agitate for their
redressal.
The evidence of
these
organisations directing
peasant movements can be seen throughout 1930s and 1940s.
emphasised
outlook
modernisation
so
politically
swaraJ.
of
that
they
to
establish
This
might
the
peasants
prepare
their
social
themselves
millenarian
and
the
They
cultural
socially
peasant
and
raj
or
perception was repeatedly put forward in Ranga's
speeches and articles.
The
most
outstanding
peasant population
novel
development
in
educating
the
was the establishment of the Indian Peasant
Institute in Nidubrolu on 12th April,
1934 by N.G.Ranga.
This
was the first such institute to be established in India.
All
the prominent social and political leaders of Andhra were invited
to
deliver
problems
lectures
facing
the
to
the
country.
students
The
110
on
social
students
and
belonged
economic
to
local
MOBILIZATION OF PEASANTRY
peasant
families,
though
few people
came
from other
areas
of
Andhra.Ryotu Bhajanavali was selected for the dally bhajan and
with this the organisers helped to attune the students with the
agitating
peasant
approach
to
Indian nationalism.
The press
of the day published extensive reports of daily speeches and the
lectures delivered there to spread the cause of peasant problems.
The institute also held its sessions in various parts of Andhra
to popularise and train the youth to take up the peasant cause.
The main
purpose
of
this
institute was
to
unite
agricultural
labourers and peasants, to educate them the peasant culture, their
needs, and to train them to run peasant movement and to serve the
154
peasant cause.
In its deliberations, discussion on socialism, Gandhism, women
upliftment
enable
etc.,
the
were
students
conducted.
to
Seminars
exchange
their
were
views.
organised
It
was
to
made
compulsory for each student to speak on issues either supporting
or opposing.
Various
Mock parliament sessions were run in the Institute.
issues
example,
were
discussed
in
the
Institute,
for
Internaional problems as perceived by Gandhi.Political
and economical system that protects coloured people, How Gandhism
emerged,The
aims
of
Congress,
Revolution,History of Sun-Yet-Sen,
1857
Revolt.American
China,French Revolution-
Its
aims and achievements,Afghan's struggle for Independence against
England
and Russia,Irish peoples
freedom
struggle,Lessons
from
South American Revolutions,The evils of capitalism,The need for
united anti-imperial struggle,How peasants became a revolutionary
calass?,Peasants
economic
problems-
prices,The problems of agricultural
Low
prices
labourer.What
and
is
high
the chief
objective of a colonial peasant?2amindari system in a historical
perspective,Revenue
system
in
India,National
planning-
its
nesessity, etc.
A
number
prominent
movements.
of
public
the
workers
1939,
in
of
the
the
Institute
ensuing
rose
peasant
and
to
become
national
It held its sessions in Rayalaseema in 1936-37,
Madanapalle in 1938,
Krishna
students
in
in Vizagapatnam and Srikakulam in 1938 and
in Cuddapah and Guntur
in 1947-48 besides
districts in 1940 and
its annual or biannual
111
1941,
in
sessions
in
MOBILIZATION OF PEASANTRY
Nidubrolu throughout this period.
the
Institute
districts
years.
and
The
Several of the graduates of
organised preparatory schools
in almost
conducted
sessions
weekly
or
week-end
leftists also ran a number of
all
for
the
many
such schools and a
government Fortnightly Reports that in Manthanavaripalem
(Guntur
district) the lecturers were largely Communists from North India
and the general tendency of their lectures was to disparge the
philosophy and patience of non-violence.
Traditional
methods
among the public,
were
used
for
spreading
such as the burrakatha,
katha and mono-acting.
enlightenment
jangam katha,
veera
A number of the traditional bards were
hired to sing and popularise peasant songs, poems, ballads, which
were
specially composed,
the 1937 elections.
which proved extremely popular
during
Infact the Communists after studying these
methods of propaganda, developed them and made effective use of
them
and
subsequently
158
enthusiastically.
the
Congress
too
came
to
utilise
them
The Institute also initiated the practice of honouring writers
and poets
who
problems.
devoted
For
their
writings
to
political
instance Garimella Satyanarayana,
and
social
the author of
the famous song 'we do not want a white government', Adavi Bapi
Raju and Sree Swami Siva Sankara,
honoured in the Peasant
writers
Palnati
Kavi Brahma Etukuri Venkata Narasayya, Venkata
kavi
contribute valuable
159
peasants.
poet,
Veerabhadrachari
poems
on
etc.,
the
were
plight
encouraged
to
problems
of
and
A special reference can be made regarding the kisan
Settipalli
presented them at
The
This encouraged many other
to devote themselves to writing poetry on peasant and
political themes.
Kavi,
and several others were thus
Institute.
institue
Venkataratnam,
who wrote
inspiring
songs
and
the Institute.
gradually
became
a
powerful
lever,
for
stimulating the youth to undertake the onerous responsibility of
leadership.
Reception
The
students
Committees,
were
appointed
Presidents
or
activities conducted by the Institute.
112
as
the
Speakers
Chairmen
in
of
various
Another important thing
MOBILIZATION OF PEASANTRY
taught In this institute was how to report about the meetings,
narrate
the
troubles
of
peasants,enumerate
their
grievances
against Zamindars and moneylenders in such a way as to find place
in the press.
conducting
Much importance was given for the publicity of
peasant
institution.
To
put
in
Ranga's
words,
"students should realise that it is not enough to hold meetings,
organise marches, conduct demonstrations and carry on propaganda
and other educational work.
publicity
in
obtained."
161
the
press
They will have to see that as much
for
such
activities
as
possible
is
Another technique to mobilise peasantry was the observance of
162
all-India days, in order to develop all-India klsan unity.
Lucknow
session
of
All
India
Kisan
Sabha,
inaugurated
all-India klsan day on the first of September every year.
The
the
The
observation of this Day was intended to make peasants feel, think
and act
in terms of their all-India needs,
responsibilities
instead of each province being left to look after itself.
This
was the tradition established by the Congress to bring the Indian
masses under its fold through its national days.
This technique
proved successful as peasants enthusiastically observed this Day.
Encouraged by Its success AIKS organised several such days and
were followed by the Provincial
peasant organisations.
For
instance in 1938, five all-India days were celebrated bringing
the peasants scattered throughout India together to express their
sympathy and support for sections of peasantry in their struggle
against their exploiters: 1) all-India Debt Cancellation Day was
celebrated on 27th, March 2)A11-India Mandsa Day on 3rd April,3)
All India Mangrol Day on 3rd,
July,
4) All-Inda Rayalaseema
Famine Relief Day on 20th August and 5) All-India Bihar Kisan Day
on
23rd,
January,
1938.
Accordingly,
peasant
weeks
were
organised at frequent intervals, during which peasants grievances
were brought into focus by organising meetings,
reporting to
appropriate autoritles, distributing pamphlets, etc,.
occasions
new
associations
were
formed
On these
wherever
such
164
organisations did not exist and new members were recruited.
Resolutions like, 'struggle for freedom ; abolition of Zamindari
system
were passed.
113
MOBILIZATION OF PEASANTRY
Such
propoganda
methods
succeeded
' in
ranging
myriads
of
peasants enthusiastically on the side of peasant associations to
achieve atleast minimum demands'.
Peasant inarches was another effective method employed.
marches
for
the
peasant
was
to
enliven
them
The
politically.
Though taking out marches may be a simple activity, and they might
not have much of a message to deliver,
the very fact of a batch
of strangers coming into a village would be sufficient to arouse
interest and make peasants think.
167
to the masses, since 1933.
The marches became a reality
These marchers used to start from a
meeting ground and proceed to the collectorates, or taluk offices
or panchayat offices and submit a list of demands.
Apart from
local demands- the list generally included the ultimate demands
like abolition of Zamindari system,
establishment of socialised
industrial system etc,.
These
urged
upon
the
Government,
the
need
for
immediate
legislative action on the basis of the appeals received from time
to time by the provincial ryots associations.
were
found
to
be
of
some
help,
they
As these marches
attracted
a
number
peasants and succeeded in stirring up the rural atmosphere.
of
As
the movement developed the demands of the peasants have come to
168
occupy a prominent place In the national programme.
It is said
that
the
peasant
Provincial
marches
Peasants
resulted
Association
in
in
strengthening
having
a
the
membership
thousands with eight affiliated district associations.
Andhra
of
56
As these
marches were organised to bring pressure on the government to pay
greater heed to the needs of the peasants and to take immediate
legislative
action,
they
gained
a
political
importance
and
brought political consciouness in the peasant mass.
During the marches, a fine-batch of peasant youth volunteered
for
the
keeping
marches
the
singing peasant
peasant
morale
N.V. Naidu's inspiring song,
in
songs
high
all
along the
esteem.
In
streets,
this
regard
'we do not want association with this
114
MOBILIZATION OF
PEASANTRY
« £ Q
Zamindars'
became the clarion call
to all the peasants.
The
atrocities of the Zamindars and moneylenders were voiced from the
house-tops.
every
These marches made the peasant demands echoed from
village.
The
wonderful
propaganda
of
the
leaders
and
workers created a spirit of self-reliance and self-confidence in
the masses.
To
consolidate,
awakening
that
and
give
resulted
Peasants' March
a
definite
from
this
March
In
Vizagapatnam
1938.
to
the
general
the
Andhra
propaganda,
was organised under the leadership of Andhra
Provincial Ryots Association.
Itchapur
shape
It
was
It started on 3rd July 1937 from
district
led
and
by Komma
reached
Madras
on
Reddy Satyanarayana
27th
Murty,
President of the Andhra Provincial Peasants Association and Joint
Secretary of the Andhra Provincial Congress Committee.
Chalasani
Vasudevarao was the General Secretary of the Peasant Association.
N.G.Ranga M.L.A(Central)
and
Sabha,
march.
inaugurated
Communists
and
contributed
towards
behalf
of
the
the
others
the
The
co-operated
of
youth
marchers
of
the
Prominent
success
socialist,
participated.
President
with
the
and
carried
All-India
Congress
the
Kisan
leaders,
marchers
and
march.Many youngmen on
labour
on
organisations
their
programme
also
since
their start covering on foot the districts of* Visakapatnam, East
and West Godavari, Krishna, Guntur, Nellore, Kurnool and other
places.
They sang songs along the route condemning the Zamindari
atrocities,
rack-renting,
paisa fund,
they collected money for this march.
slogans
like
long-live
debt problems etc,.
'abolish Zamindari
revolution'.
On
the
system,
whole
In the name of
They raised
down with
the
march
miles on foot, 542 miles on bus, for 130 days.
imperialism,
covered
1,512
They visited 525
villages and secured 800 petitions signed by 25,000 peasants, and
gathered 300 appeals of peasants and workers in regard to their
respective
submitted
local
from
grievances.
to
time
to
Copies
the
of
local
these
petitions
district
were
authorities
concerned.
They also organized meetings in 500 villages and 60
firka
conferences.
ryot
It
is
said
that
these
meetings
attended by around 450 thousand of peasants and workers.
115
were
MOBILIZATION OF PEASANTRY
This march enabled peasant associations to have excellent mass
contact.
It was intended to unite the diverse elements in the
peasant community,
to boost
their activities and to focus the
attention of the Congress Ministry on the day-to-day grievances
and
immediate
demands
and
to
get
mass
sanction
to
all
their
demands.
It submitted a memorandum to the government demanding
reduction
of
rents
and
water-rates,
remissions,
Improving
of
irrigation sources etc,.
This
march
peasants.Their
moratorium,
status
of
created
tremendous
demands
reduction
Zamindari
for
of
the
land
tenants
awakening
immediate
revenue
and
pressurised
among
improvement
the
the
declaration
Madras
of
of
the
government
October 1 9 3 7 , 1 7 1
pass Agricultural Debt Relief Act on the 1st of
and appoint an enquiry committee to probe into the conditions of
172
zamindary ryots.
The
success
of
the
march
can
be
seen
peasants
173
presented their evidence before the Committee bravely.
They
presented their memorandum and oral evidence in an organised,
174
uniform and effective manner.
Whenever peasant associations conducted
interesting
premises.
and
inspiring
programmes
cattle exhibitions,
its meetings
were
organised
health exhibitions,
and cultural shows like burrakatha,
of
the
several
in
their
For instance when AIKS organised its annual meeting in
Vijayawada,
form
when
ballad
conducted which
singing),
infact
street
appealed
plays
to
scientific
( a distinctly telugu folk
and
folk
dances
the peasants more
were
than
the
speeches and resolutions passed at the Session.
True to the traditional saying that a nation lives by memories
of
its
heroes,
worshiping
etc,.
the
the
peasant
heroes
like
leaders
Shivaji,
cultivated
the
Brahmanaidu,
cultre
of
Balachandra
Whenever national leaders visiting Andhra huge processions
were taken out to garland them.
The poem, written by Kaviraja,
116
MOBILIZATION OF PEASANTRY
"we have brought heroic scent, tell us who is the hero; we will
apply
masses.
it
176
and
garland
him",
was
very
popular
among
The peasant associations also took up minor and small
the
issues
that happened in the village, say some problem, some dispute or
conflict and Intervened to solve them, so that such participation
and Involvement would help to identify the organisation with the
common masses
and
also help
to
activise
village
Primary health centres were also organised
in
level
units.
the villages
to
help and attract poor peasants to Join their associations.
As national flags were usilally hailed by the peasants,
same were unfurled at the peasant meetings.
the
But where greater
178
strength was sought to evince red flags also were used.
Another
interesting
investigative
technique
reports
familiarise their
associations
followed
relating
to
was
to
peasant
publish
the
problems
and
content to the possible extent, or the peasant
themselves
appointed
enquiry
committees
to
investigate into the conditions of the peasants and bring out the
facts.
where
Generally such enquiries were conducted
the
peasant
movements
were
sought
to
in new areas,
be
developed,, to
highlight the economic conditions and sufferings of peasants and
suggest remedies.
Proceedings of such enquiries were published
widely in the press, to create interest.
schedule
of
minimum
demands
was
Based on the report a
prepared
and
published
by
a
conference of the peasant of that district.
A district peasant
association was
the
then formed
in
the wake
of
conference
to
popularise and give effect to that schedule of minimum demands
and gradually penetrate, into the peasant mind and making him to
think favourably of the association.
The best example to this
type of operation Is the appointment of Zamindari Ryots Enquiry
Committee by the Nellore District Ryots Conference
in 1931
to
enquire into the conditions of the peasants in the Venkatagiri
Zamindari
with
179
N.G.Ranga
as
president
secretary.
117
and
N.V.Naidu
as
the
MOBILIZATION OF PEASANTRY
The mere visit of the committee to the remote villages created
a stir in the mental and social atmosphere of that area and its
people.
The very fact of an enquiry in a zamlndary area stunned
the peasants, and soon they started questioning the atrocities of
the Zamindar.
It was the Venkatagiri peasants who waged one of
the first battles against the Zamindari system.
Thus the enquiry
turned out to be an active Instrument to awaken the peasants and
inspire them to feel free and important.
Another such enquiry on an
all-Andhra scale was appointed in
180
1933 by the third Andhra Zamindari Rytos Conference.
This, the
All-Andhra Zamindari
Ryots Enquiry Committee
Chairman and N.V.Naidu and R.M.Sarma
through
almost
interviewed
inspected
all
local
the
estates,
leaders,
met
delved
Irrigation channels,
as
into
tanks
forests, embracing grazing areas.
with N.G.Ranga
other
Members,
thousands
the
of
peasants,
zamidari
etc.,
and
as
toured
records,
passed
through
This Report was published in
the vernacular press and was given widest publicity,
preparing
the public mind to sympathise with the victims of the Zamindari
system.
The full Report was presented to Gandhi in 1934,
provoking the Congress to bring
181
peasants problems.
into its orbit the
thus
Zamindari
These activities gave a coherent political expression to all
expressions
conciousness,
of peasant dissent,
which
helped
the
apart
from
Congress
creating
in
all-class harmony during the national movement.
made
the peasants aware of
Zamindari
system and
about
These mechanisms
the problems faced
colonial
national
bringing
exploitation.
in
the
Politically,
by
them
the
peasant became more mature and conscious than before.
The
evidence
of
the
success
of
these
techniques
of
mobilisation can be seen at the turn of the nineteen thirties.
Antl-zamindari
movements
spread
entire
af
estates.
tracts
Andhra
like
a wild
The
fire
peasants
sweeping
In
the
Munagala,
Muktyala, Kalipatnam, Challapalli, Gampalagudem, and other areas
118
MOBILIZATION OF PEASANTRY
waged relentless battles to cut into size the Zamindars and their
powers.
The abolition of the Zamindari system
ministry
was
not
achievement of
a
manna
from
the peasants.
heaven
The
but
credit
by the Congress
the
goes
hard
to
earned
the peasant
associations, which employed new methods in uniting the peasantry
and bringing them to the battle front.
Hunger
alone
cannot
arouse
exploitation howsoever
ruthless.
comes
moved
when
they
are
by
the
people,
But
some
the
neither
urge
elemental
can
towards
idea
mere
action
such
nationalism, revolutionary socialist Ideology, or religion.
as
When
made keenly conscious of their conditions, when organised into a
well-knit party, and political leadership emerges,
by
a
strong
confronted
by
sentiment
of
exceptional
nationalism
crises
like
and
at
when animated
the
economic
same
time
depression,
famines, war or acute unemployment, the peasantry turn to action.
The ideology should be made meaningful and understandable for the
less sophisticated and here comes
techniques of mobilisation.
119
the necessity of
imaginative
MOBILIZATION OF PEASANTRY
REFERENCES:
1. For detallssee.Atluri Murali, Social Change And Nature of
Social
Participation
in
National
Movement
in
Andhra
,
1905-1934.Unpublished Ph.D Thesis, J.N.U., New Delhi,
1985,
Pp.360-413 and 484-615.
2.
Georges Lefebvre, 'Revolutionary Crowd', in Jeffry Kaplow
(ed), New Perspectives on the French Revolution: Reading in
Historical Sociology, New York, 1965, p.181.
3.
C.J.Nirmal, '19th Century Press and The Development of
Indian Nationalism',
in Journal
of
the Madras University,
vol.XLIII, Nos. 1 & 2, Jan-July, 1970, p.73.
4.
Gorrepatl Venkatasubbayyya,
Vijayawada, 1948, Pp.29-30.
Acharya
Ranga,
Desi
5.
N.G.Ranga, Peasants and Congress, Madras, 1939, p.3.
6.
Zamin Ryot, Its first issue appeared on 7.3.1931.
7.
CO.No.
Pub.,
2879, Home (Conf) Department, dt.26.10.36.
8.
Navasakti, 15.12.1937 (first issue).
9.
N.G.Ranga, The Kisan Hand Book, Madras, 1936, p.112.
10.
Chitragupta, 10.12.1939.
11.
N.G.Ranga, Peasants andd Congress, Op.Cit., p.3.
12.
Prajasakti, 3.12.1945 (Daily, first issue).
13.
Its Editor was Kasinathuni Nageswara Fao, was a Zamindar,
banker, and managing partner of the Amrutanjan Co. lted., as
published on the back cover of the book, Why
Village Movement?
written by J.C.Kumarrappa, Rajamundry,
1935;
He purchased
'Krutti Vennu' estate consisting about 2000 acres in 1933.
However, he Invested all his incomes arrived from the lands in
the improvement of the estate and was popularly known as a
benevolent Zamindar. Infact, when Prakasam Committee, was on its
tour taking oral evidence, several of the witnesses gave a good
account of his administration
in
the estate.
Gorrepati
Venkatasubbayya,
Deshoddharaka
Charitra,
(Biography
of
Kasinathuni Nageswara Rao Panthulu), 1967.
Andhra Patrika,
though never compromised in reporting the pathetic tales of the
peasantry,
it did not propogate radical
ideas among
the
peasantry.
14. Started on 1.2.1902 by Konda Venkatappayya and Dasu Narayana
Rao.
Mutnurl Krishna Rao, became its editor in 1907 and
continued for four decades in that position.
These people were
ardent Congressites, and they tried to mobilise the peasant
population to come under the Congress fold.
120
MOBILIZATION OF PEASANTRY
15. Hindu. 20,9.1878 (first Issue). It was also a nationalist
paper
and
voiced
peasants
issues
mainly
from
Congress
perspective.
It was associated with Maharaja of Vijayanagaram,
for some time at the turn of the century. C.J.Nirmal, Op.Cit.,
p.67.
16. N.G.Ranga, Kisan Speaks, A.I.K Publications, Madras, 1938,
Part II, p.3.
17. Krishna Patrka, 17.7.43.
18.
Ibid, Editorial, 16.3.46.
19.
Ibid, 9.3.46.
20.
Ibid, 16.3.46.
21.
Ibid, 13.4.46.
22.
Ibid, 27.4.40.
23.
Ibid, 16.3.46.
24. Andhra patrlka was established In 1908 in Bombay as weekly
and was shifted to Madras in 1914 and continued as dally from
then onwards, it was supplied freely to all libraries in Andhrra
at free of cost for nearly two decades. It also advertised free
of cost, the Communist literature like'Communist Manifesto' in
its issues. Y.V.Krishna Rao and Etukuri Balarama Murthy, (ed),
Andhra Pradesh Darshini, Visalandhra Pub., House, Hyderabad,
1987, Part II, Pp. 97-98.
25.
Andhra Patrika, editorial, 3.8.33.
26. Ibid, 21.10, 33, for instance, it reported about American
peasants who were agitating durring that period for the redressal
of their grievances.
27. Andhra Patrika came forr a special praise form N.G.Ranga for
Its prompt reporting over peasants marches, schools, associations
etc. See N.G.Ranga, Peasants and Congress, Op. Cit, Pp. 1-4.
28.
Andhra Patrika, 1.2.37.
29. It brought out the report of W.R.S.Satyanathan on debt
problem in the Madras Presidency in telugu on 14.9.35.
30.
Andhra Patrika, 1.2.37.
31. Ibid, 10.9.37.
32.
Ibid, 8.2.37.
33.
Ibid, 7.2.33.
121
MOBILIZATION OF PEASANTRY
34. Ibid, 9.2.33.
35. Ibid, 18.2.33.
36. Ibid, 27.2.33.
37. Ibid, 20.6.33.
38. Ibid, 26.1.47.
39. Ibid, 30.3.49.
40. Telugu, 21.1.38.
41. Vijaya, 1.2.37.
42. Stanika Palana, 30.3.38.
43. Vljayawani, 5.3.39.
44. Swatantra Bharathi, 5.7.47.
45. Bharrathi, May, 1942.
46. Janmabhooml, 1.3.30.
47.
Zamln Ryot was startedby Nellore Venkatarana Naidu
(N.V.Naidu), following the establishment of Nellore District
Zamin-RyotAssociation on 19.10.1929.
This paper stood by the
side of the peasaant throughout its career and largely voiced the
stand taken by N.G.Ranga as against the Communists during
forties.
48.
Zamln Ryot, Silver Jubilee Issue, 4.4.54.
49. Ibid, 30.3.49.
50. Karnati Laxmi Narasaiah, General Secretary of Andhra Nataka
kala Samiti, says that the song was enthusiastically received by
the peasants during thirties and fourties.
Interview taken on
23.9.90 in Vijayawada.
51. Zamin Ryot, 4.4.54.
52 Rangagarl Rajakiyalu, (Ranga's Politics), Prajasakti Pub.,
Bezwada, 1945, Pp.20-21.
53. CO.No. 2879, Home (Conf) dt. 26. 10. 36.
54. Vahini, 8.1.37.
55. Ibid, 19.1.37.
56. Ibid, 29.1.37.
57. Ibid, 24.6.37.
58.
Ibid, 8.7.37.
122
MOBILIZATION OF PEASANTRY
59. Ibid, 26.6.37.
60. G.O. Hs.No. 2299, Public (Gen) Department, 21.12.39.
61.
Kranthl,
3.12.39.
62. Andhravanl, 22.12.38.
63. V.Venkateshwarlu, Biography of Prakasam, p.142.According to
Bhandaru Parvatulu this paper first appeared on 19.10.1921,
Prakasam Gadhavall, Prakasam Institute of Development Studies,
Hyderabad.
64. Swarajya, 19.11.32.
65. Village Republic, 10.10.40.
66. R.Brass and Marcus F.Franda (ed.),
SouthAsia, Massachusetts, 1973, p.291.
Radical Politics In
67. P.Sundarayya, Viplavapathamlo Naa Payanam (My Journey
towards Revolutionary Path), Part I, Prajasakti Pub., Vijayawada,
1990, p.129.
68. Navasaktl, 15.12.37.
69. Interview with parakala Pattabhlrama Rao, on 22.9.90,
Vijayawada.
in
70. It broughout every minute details of the Andhra peasant
marches, and gave prior publicity in the villages about the
advancing marches and encouraged to participate.
71. Ibid, 19.1.38.
72. Ibid, 11.1.39.
73. Y.V.Krishna RAO,(ed) Andhra Pradeshlo Communistu Udhyama
Charitra, 1936-42 (History of Communist Movement in Andhra
Pradesh), VIsalandhra Pub. House, Hyderabad, 1988, Pp.418-487.
74. Navasaktl, 7.12.39.
75.
Ibid, 8.3.39.
76.
Interview with Parakala Pattabhi Rama Rao, Op.Cit.
77. P.Sundarayya, Op.Cit., p.130.
78. It started as weekly in 1942 with Katragadda Rajagopala Rao,
Chalasani Vasudeva Rao, Tummala Venkataramanayya and Kondapudi
Laxminarayana as editors and turned out as daily on December 3rd,
1945 and continued till it was banned on April 22, 1946. ,
Interview with Parakala Pattabhi Rama Rao.
79. Prajasakti, 7.10.72.
80.
Ibid, 27.10.43.
81.
Ibid, 5.11.43.
82.
Ibid, 26.7.44.
83.
Ibid, 18.3.44.
123
MOBILIZATION OF
Navasakti
PEASANTRY
4.1.1939
The above cartoon d e p i c t s R a j a j i screaming t h a t
Zamindars were b e i n g h u r t while T.Prakasam
h i t t i n g t h e Zamindars with h i s Report t o save
t e n a n t s from t h e Zamindari system which is
compared h e r e with a f r y i n g p a n .
85. Unnava laxminarayana, Halapalli, Part I & II,
(first
published in 1922), Jayanti Publications, Vijayawada, 1988.
86.
G.O.No. 1023, Home (Conf.) Department, dt.3.7.36.
87. N.G.Ranga, Harijana Nayakudu,
Kisan Pub., Guntur, 1987.
88.
Ibid, Pp. 49-50.
124
(first published in 1933),
MOBILIZATION OF PEASANTRY
89. Ryotu Bhajanavali,
Andhra Provincial
Ryot Congress,
Vljayada, 1949. The writing of peasant songs for the peasaant
institute started fkrom 1934 and each year s number of such songs
were added to this list. They largely contained Soviet-oriented
leftism, which during this period was dominating the intellectual
thing.
According to Gorrepatl Venkatasubbayya it was first
publishedon 22.4.1934, Op.Cit., P.144.
90. Ibid, p.146.
91. This poem was wrritten by N.V.Naidu and printed in 1935
edition, of Ryotu Bhajanavali published by G.Laxminarayana of the
Peasant Institute popularly konwn as Ramaneedu Vidhyalaya, at
Nldubrolu, In Guntur district.
92.
Ryotu
Bhajanavali,
Op.Cit.,
Written
by
Settipally
Venkataratnam, p.8.
93.
Ibid, Written by K.V.Ramakrishna, p.25.
94.
Ibid, Written by Tripurana Raghavadasu, Pp.68-69.
95. Ibid, p.71.
96. Kondaveeti Venkata Kavi, Karshaka, Sattenapalli, 1939.
97.
N.G.Ranga, First For Freedom, New Delhi, 1968,p.238.
98. P.Sundarayya, Op.Cit, p.30.
99.
Secret File, December 1937, Memo Nos/45-l/H, ddt 20.5.1936,
(Home Department).
100. Socialism Ante? (What is Socialism?), Rajamundryy, 1938.
101. Sandesam, (Message), Laxmi Pub., Kakinada, 1936.
102. Karl Marx Upadeshalu (Teachings of Karl Marx), Laxmi Pub.,
Kakinada, 1936, p.40.
103. G.O.No. 925, Public (Generral) Department, dt.19.5.37.
104. Mahidara Ramamohana Rao, Lenin Upadeshamulu, (Teachings of
Lenin), Vishwa Sahithyamala Pub., Munganda, 1938.
105. G.O.No. 1560, Public (General) (Conf.) Department, 1938.
106. Mahidara Jaganmohan Rao, Paris Commune, Vishwa Sahithyamala
Pub., Munganda, 1938.
107. It was a speech delivered by K.Radhakrishnamurthy at the
school of politics conducted at the Japobin Lodge, Guntur in
October 1943 and was published in book form India Bavishyathu
(Future of India), Renaissance Publications, Tenali, 1944.
108.V.V.Subramanya Sastry, Swatantra Carjana, (The Roar of
Independance), Andhra Vani Press, Vijayawada, 1941.
109.
Kranti Kumar, Viplavayugam,
Swechapuram, 1941, p.4.
125
("The Age of Revolution),
MOBILIZATION OF PEASANTRY
110.
V.V.Subramanyam Sarma, Zamln Ryot, 1938, pp.11-14.
111.
G.O.Ms no.357, Home Department, d t . 2 3 . 1 . 3 9 .
112.
CO.No. 2049 Public (Conf.) Department, 18.1.41.
113.
Interview with Parakala Pattabhi Rama Rao.
114.
Ibid.
115. Peda Ryotula Kashtalela Potayl ( How will the difficulties
of poor peasants be solved?) Nellore, pp.2.13.
116. Manifesto of the Workers and Peasants Party to the Indian
National Congress, Madras, 1927.
117. Ibid, p.7.
118.
Sri Sri was the first poet who transfered Marxist ideas
into a simple and yet powerful poem Mahaprastanam, which
influenced the minds of thousands of young nationalists.
119. R.Brass and Marcus F.Franda (ed), Op.Cit., p.293.
120. Sarojini Regani (ed), Mho is Who in Freedom Struggle In
Andhra Pradesh, Vol.1, Hyderabad, 1978, pp.147-8.
121. Gorrepati Venkatasubbayya, Op.Cit, pp.83-85.
122. The starting of All India Kisan Publication in Madras in
1933 facilitated for the publication of N.G.Ranga's books.
123. The first eight books were written under the category of
Andhra Economical Series.
He obtained his B.Litt degree from
Oxford University for his research paper oh 'The Economic
Organisation of the Cotton Indlstry of Southern India'.
This
experience helped him to probe the economic conditions of zamln
ryots.
124. For instance in his book Kisan Speaks, he says 'this book
is primarily intended to show out kisans and kisan sabhas what
all can and has to be done immdediatly and inevitably, if even
minimum of relief from their troubles and assistance towards
progress were to be vouchasafed to out masses without any more
delay', Madras, 1937, p.ii.
125.
N.G.Ranga, Outlines of the National Revolutionary Path,
Bombay, 1945, p.103.
126. N.G.Ranga, Peasants and Congress, Op.Cit., p.vi.
127. N.G.Ranga, Modern Indian Peasant, Madras, 1936, p.3.
128.
N.G.Ranga, Outlines of the National Revolutionary Path,
Op.Cit, p.76.
126
MOBILIZATION OF PEASANTRY
129.
Wadrevu Baplraju, Madras Ryotu Runa Nlvarana Chat tarn,
(Madras Debt Relief Act), Rajamundry, 1938.
130.
Zamindari Committee Report. Andhra Provincial Congress
Congress, Machilipatnam, 1939.
131. R.M.Sarma, Zamindari Ryotu Samasya, (Problems of Zamindari
Peasants), Kovvur, 1933.
132.
Gorrepatipati Venkatasubbya,
Zamindars), Gantasala, 1944.
Wana
Zamlndarulu
(Our
133. Under Secretary Safe (Secret) Files, No.982, dt. 10.1.37.
134. Ibid, No.981, dt.10.1.37.
135. Ibid.
136. Fortnightly Reports, for the first of September, 1937.
137. Public (General) Department, D.O.No.p.4-15, dt.21.8.37.
138. Public (General) Department, D.O.No.p.4-17, dt.20.9.37.
139. G.O.No.1090, Public (General) Department, dt.27.6.38.
140. Public (General) Department , From S.B.CID, (Strictly Con)
NO.658/C, dt.15.3.38.
141. CO.No. 2618-19, Home (Conf) Department, dt. 7. 10.36.
142. G.O.No. 353, Public (Conf.) Department, dt.28.2.35.
143.
Ibid.
144. Speaking at All India Kisan Sabha (Faizpur) Session in 1936
about the need for formation of peasant asociations N.G.Ranga
observed that 'this alone can solve the demands of peasants and
also paves the way towards the advent kof kisan and mazdoor Raj,
N..G.Ranga, Kisan Speaks, Op.Cit, p.iii.
145. Y.V.Krishna Rao, Andhra Pradeshlo Swat antranlki Hundu Ryotu
Poratalu, Ryotu Udhyamalu, ("Peasants Movements and Struggles in
Andhra Pradesh before Independence), Vijayawada, 1981, pp.12-15.
146. Andhra Patrika, 2.8.28.
147.
Kommareddy Sathyanarayana Murthy 50th Death Anniversary
Memorial Issue, Vijayawada, 1990, p.65.
148. Gorrepatl Venkatasubbayya, Acharya Ranga, Op.Cit, p.33.
149.
Y.V.Krishna Rao, Andhra Pradeshlo Ryotu Udhyamalu:
Poratalu, (Peasants Movements in Andhra Pradesh), 1990, p.61. The
127
MOBILIZATION OF PEASANTRY
Zamindari Peasant Association and Peasant Protection Committee
were affiliated to Andhra Provincial Peasant Association,
N.G.Ranga, History of Kisan Movement, Madras, 1939, p.108.
150. It popularised the faith of the absolute need for peasants
and aggrlcultural workers to cooperate with each other and work
together for their mutual benefit and also their dependance upon
each other, N.G.Ranga, Fight for Freedom, Op.Cit, p.227.
151.
For instance, speaking at the Andhra Provincial Ryots
Conference in 1929, he said "if the ryots won't work from now
onwards with alertness, social unity and cooperation in thinking
and capture the coming Swarajya government , then they will be
destroyed", Rural India, vol.IV, no.12, D e c , 1929, pp.269-81.
152. Acharya Ranga, 88th Anniversary, Special Issue, 1987, p.42.
153.
Kisan Sri, Acharya Rangajl.
Vividha Drukpadhallo
(Prof.Ranga: In Different Perspectives), Tenali, 1961, p.240.
154.
Acharya Ranga, 88th Anniversary, Op.Cit., p.46.
155. Ibid. pp.50-52.
156.
N.G.Ranga, Fight for Freedom, Op.Cit, pp.193-94.
157. Fortnightly Reports, 10.6.38.
158. Communists used Burrakatha very widely to propogate their
ideology.
Nazar, the most famour burrakatha troupe leader and
other Communist burratha performers propogated the necessity of
peasant association and movements among the peasantry of Andhra
during this period. Interview with Mukkala Nagabhusanam.
159.
N.G.Ranga, Fight for Freedom. Op.Cit, p.194.
160. Settipally Venkataratnam, a peasant poet, began his career
from 1934, writing songs every year which were favourably
received by the peasants. However he died in 1939 at the age of
26.
Following his death all his songs were published by
N.G.Ranga. Interview with Daruvuri Veeraiah.
161.
N.G.Ranga, Peasant and Congress, Op.Cit, p.6.
162. Ibid, p.49.
163. Ibid, p.50.
164. Andhra Patrlak, 18.2.32.
165. Ibid, 19.10.37.
166.
167.
N.G.Ranga, Modern Indian Peasant, Op.Cit, p.3.
Kommareddy Sathyanarayana Murthy, 50th Death Anniversary
128
MOBILIZATION OF PEASANTRY
Memorial Issue, Op.Cit., p.11.
168. This Is evident from the Karachi Congress resolutions which
demanded substantial reduction in agricultural rent or revenue
paid by the peasantry and in case of uneconomic holdings
exemption from rent for such period as may be necessary.
169.
N.G.Ranga, Fight for Freedom, Op.Cit, p.29.
170. Report of the Madras Estate Land Act Committee, Memorandum
Supplemenal Volume, Madras, 1938, p.29., Ryotu Vani, 1990, p.5,
Fortnightly Reports, 4.4.1938.
171. For details see Madras Legislative Council Debates, vol.4,
Dec. 1937-Jan.1938.
172. Madras Legislative Assembly Debates, vol.5, 1937, p.841.
173. Navasakti, 19.1.38.
174.
N.G.Ranga, Peasant and Congress, Op.Cit, p.73.
175. Eighth All India Kisan Sabha, Bezwada, 1944, pp.14-19.
176.
Gorrepatl Venkatasubbayya, Acharya Ranga, Op.Cit, p.34.
177.
P.Sundarayya, Op.Cit, p.75.
178.
N.G.Ranga, Modern Indian Peasant, Op.Cit., p.3.
179.
N.G.Ranga, Fight for Freedom, Op.Cit, p.139.
180. Ibid, p.152.
181. Nehru, while speaking on the need of seperate kisan sabhas
observed, "the important fact to be borne in mind is that there
is deep ferment in the peasantry all over India and a powerful,
though partly un-conscious, desire on their part to do something
to get rid of their main burdens, which have quite unbearable.
They are expectant, and if the Congress cal does not reach their
ears, some others will and they will respond to it. The Congress
has realised this in a large measure, and inspire of its
political pre-occupations,
it has laid down an agrarian
programme", N.G.Ranga, Peasant and Congress, Op.Cit, p.8.
129